Nonmetallic truss



Nov. l0, 1931. A. s. coMsTocK" NONMETALLI C TRUS S Filed April 7. 1930 d am @m 7a w Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES ALPHoNso s. coMs'rocK, or EvANsToN, iLLINoIs NoNMnTALLIo-frnuss Application filed April 7,

My invention relates to surgical apparatus, and more particularly to adjustabie trusses. Y

The common truss in use at the present time 6 is formed generally of metal with ksuitable covering, comprising a single circular, or oval shaped steel spring having a suitably shaped pad at the extremities of the spring adapted to bear against the ruptured portion 11T-of the abdomen. It is well known that the wearing of a truss is generally disliked and in many instances, persons requiring the benefit of a truss refrain from the use of the same.

A further objection to the common truss lies in the fact that frequently no provision is made for the various movements of the body of the wearer in carrying out his ordinary occupation. For instance, the rupture is in many trusses totally or partially unsupported when the wearer leans over, or stands in any but a practically erect posture. The pressure is maintained in a standing-or sitting position and is caused to vary by the non-adaptiveness of the truss to abnormal positions. Thus it is frequently inconvenient and painful for a truss wearer to move about in a normal manner. A further objection to the common truss is that it very frequently shiftsitsposition during body movements, and may be discovered'to be removed from the rupture and performing no service whatever.

An object of my invention is to enable the user to wear the same in a bath without danger of deterioration or injury thereof due to the moisture etc.

',However, the truss of my invention is intended to* eliminate all of the above and many other common obj eetions made by truss wearers.

An object of my invention is to provide a truss having a leg and waist band of pure rubber, thusV maintaining an even fit yet not as uncomfortable as a metal truss. 1n addi-` tion', the use of uncovered rubber serves to prevent, to a marked degree, any shifting of the straps when the pad has been placed over the rupture.

A further object of my invention is to provide a rupture pad that eliminates any posysupported by a' waist band 11, and leg strap 19,370.l serieu Nq. 442,172.

sibility of the shiftingthereof from the rupture during ordinary body movement ofthe wearer.. In addition, the padl of my invenn tion serves to maintainv an even pressure againstv the rupture `in any position'of the sa body. The advantage-is madepossible by the use of a number of superposed llayers of sheet rubber, formed in a suitable size and shape for the purpose desired.`

A yfurther object of my invention is to G providey means on the truss for affecting the adjustment thereof toy suit the particular anatomical configuration of the user. My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,in'which Fig. 1 is a perspective vview showing the application ofthe truss of my invention to the body of a wearer;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the truss-pad of my invention taken on the lines Fig. 3 isa horizontalsectional view of the pad ofvmy invention;

Fig. L1c-.is a plan viewpartly in section of V7 the rear adjusting means.

By reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that my invention com* prises a truss pad, generally indicated at 10,

12, the straps 11 and 12 are preferably of pure rubber, .to provide a measure of nonslipping contact with the body. Theleg strap 12 is' preferably adjustably secured tothe waist-band'at the baekby means of S7 the snaps 14, orother suitable means, Vas bes shown in Fig. 4.

The truss pad of my invention is vformed of vsubstantially oval shape in cross section and having sidefaces of suitable area,V The pad is formed of va number of superposed layers of rubber sheeting, a, Y), c, and cl, joined i at the lower end, presenting the form of a cone. The upper endof the pad is open, the` outer face thereof being vjoined tothe waist-band 11. If desired, ajflap 13 may be A i securedto the pad face` adj acent'to the body to'pro-tect the body from'the chaiing of the top edges of the pad when bending over',for instance. Y

In the form herein illustrated, which has covering the top edge thereof when the same been found more desirable, the top is open is compressed.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my and the bottom closed. A number of apertures are punched in the sides of the pad near the bottom for the purpose of draining water when the device is worn while bathing.

IVhen applied to the body of a. ruptured wearer, the pad is found to assume the yform shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. That is, the waist-band l1 is placed on the outside of the pad and the inner face bears against the' rupture. It will thus be seen that the pad readily assumes the general contourV ofthe rupture. The pad being formed of a non.- slipping material, such as rubber, it will be found thatthe moving of thepad away from the desired position is almost. impossible'.-

By reason of thevarious layers of sheet rubber forming the pad, a certain even pres-l sure will be constantly appliedtolthe rupture and additional layerscan be formed thereon' to suit the particular requirements, if desired.

Obviously the truss` of my invention. is Wellk adapted for theV purpose for which it.' is intended. In many instances .one requiring a. truss experiences exceeding discomfort from the normal presenceA ofthe clothes worn, and it is next toimpossible to standf they confining pressure of a steel truss. However the truss herein disclosed is so constructed to. elimi-` nate any abnormal binding against the body, thereby permittingthe use thereof by the most sensitive persons. The pad provides an even pressure at the proper point and will not shift out of place.

It is conceivable that one skilled inV the art may conceive of numerous modifications and variati-ons in the device herein disclosed and I dol' not wish tobe limitedexcept as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A device of the class described compris ingan adjustable, resilient waist band, a truss pad seeured toi said band, said pad being of substantially conical shape, the top endA thereof beingopen, and being formed ofy of resilient material, an adjustable resilientleg strap adapted tojointhe lower end of the pad and waist band atthe opposite side, the free side of said pad being adapted to bear againstand` encompass a rupture, and means associated with the free side of said pad for signature.

ALPHONSO S. COMSTOCK. 

